Document And Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
Document And Entity Information - shares	Oct. 28, 2017	Dec. 01, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	National Beverage Corp.
Entity Central Index Key	0000069891
Trading Symbol	fizz
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--04-28
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		46,600,750
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 28, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 28, 2017	Apr. 29, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents	$ 128,836	$ 136,372
Trade receivables - net	80,293	71,319
Inventories	59,725	53,355
Prepaid and other assets	11,059	7,275
Total current assets	279,913	268,321
Property, plant and equipment - net	69,359	65,150
Goodwill	13,145	13,145
Intangible assets	1,615	1,615
Other assets	6,093	5,752
Total assets	370,125	353,983
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	64,726	58,100
Accrued liabilities	31,985	29,017
Income taxes payable	73	89
Total current liabilities	96,784	87,206
Deferred income taxes net	13,846	12,087
Other liabilities	8,522	9,072
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value - 75,000,000 shares authorized; 50,633,534 shares issued (50,616,134 shares at April 29)	506	506
Additional paid-in capital	36,000	35,638
Retained earnings	230,302	227,928
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	2,015	(604)
Total shareholders' equity	250,973	245,618
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	370,125	353,983
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $1 par value - 1,000,000 shares authorized: Series C - 150,000 shares issued	150	150
Treasury stock, value	(5,100)	(5,100)
Treasury Stock, Common [Member]
Shareholders' equity:
Treasury stock, value	$ (12,900)	$ (12,900)

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	Oct. 28, 2017	Apr. 29, 2017
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares shares authorized (in shares)	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	50,633,534	50,616,134
Series C Preferred Stock [Member]
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	150,000	150,000
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	1,000,000	1,000,000
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	150,000	150,000
Treasury Stock, Common [Member]
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	4,032,784	4,032,784

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2017	Oct. 29, 2016	Oct. 28, 2017	Oct. 29, 2016
Net sales	$ 244,119	$ 203,180	$ 503,951	$ 420,288
Cost of sales	148,039	124,463	303,368	256,077
Gross profit	96,080	78,717	200,583	164,211
Selling, general and administrative expenses	45,423	41,397	92,146	82,885
Interest expense	51	50	101	88
Other income - net	306	122	617	219
Income before income taxes	50,912	37,392	108,953	81,457
Provision for income taxes	16,932	12,788	36,701	27,858
Net income	$ 33,980	$ 24,604	$ 72,252	$ 53,599
Earnings per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.73	$ 0.53	$ 1.55	$ 1.15
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.72	$ 0.53	$ 1.54	$ 1.15
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	46,593	46,560	46,589	46,558
Diluted (in shares)	46,925	46,761	46,921	46,764

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2017	Oct. 29, 2016	Oct. 28, 2017	Oct. 29, 2016
Net income	$ 33,980	$ 24,604	$ 72,252	$ 53,599
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Cash flow hedges	3,247	840	2,619	1,255
Comprehensive income	$ 37,227	$ 25,444	$ 74,871	$ 54,854

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Preferred Stock [Member] Series C Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Treasury Stock, Preferred [Member] Series C Preferred Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock, Common [Member]
Balance at Oct. 29, 2016	$ 261,280	$ 150	$ 506	$ 34,844	$ 244,332	$ (552)	$ (5,100)	$ (12,900)
Balance at Apr. 30, 2016				34,570	190,733	(1,807)
Stock options exercised				100
Stock-based compensation				98
Stock-based tax benefits				76
Net income	53,599				53,599
Common stock cash dividend
Cash flow hedges	1,255					1,255
Balance at Oct. 28, 2017	250,973	$ 150	$ 506	36,000	230,302	2,015	$ (5,100)	$ (12,900)
Balance at Apr. 30, 2017				35,638	227,928	(604)
Stock options exercised				282
Stock-based compensation				80
Stock-based tax benefits
Net income	72,252				72,252
Common stock cash dividend					$ (69,878)
Cash flow hedges	$ 2,619					$ 2,619

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2017	Oct. 29, 2016
Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 72,252	$ 53,599
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	7,087	6,357
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	214	(127)
Gain on sale of property, net		(6)
Stock-based compensation	80	98
Stock-based tax benefits		76
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Trade receivables	(8,974)	(2,260)
Inventories	(6,370)	(2,170)
Prepaid and other assets	(1,069)	(854)
Accounts payable	6,626	(5,905)
Accrued and other liabilities	2,492	4,456
Net cash provided by operating activities	72,338	53,264
Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(10,317)	(8,468)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	39	15
Net cash used in investing activities	(10,278)	(8,453)
Financing Activities:
Dividends paid on common stock	(69,878)
Proceeds from stock options exercised	282	100
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(69,596)	100
Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Equivalents	(7,536)	44,911
Cash and Equivalents - Beginning of Period	136,372	105,577
Cash and Equivalents - End of Period	128,836	150,488
Other Cash Flow Information:
Interest paid	38	152
Income taxes paid	$ 37,643	$ 25,770

Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies	Oct. 28, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of National Beverage Corp. and its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all information and notes presented in the annual consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended April 29, 2017. Excluding the adoption of the recently issued accounting pronouncements disclosed in Note 6, the accounting policies used in these interim consolidated financial statements are consistent with those used in the annual consolidated financial statements. The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results which might be expected for the entire fiscal year. Derivative Financial Instruments We use derivative financial instruments to partially mitigate our exposure to changes in raw material costs. All derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The estimated fair value of derivative financial instruments is calculated based on market rates to settle the instruments. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Credit risk related to derivative financial instruments is managed by requiring high credit standards for counterparties and frequent cash settlements. See Note 5. Earnings P er Common Share Basic e arnings per common share is computed by dividing earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated in a similar manner, but includes the dilutive effect of stock options. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of first -in, first -out cost or market. Inventories at October 28, 2017 were comprised of finished goods of $38.4 million and raw materials of $21.3 million. Inventories at April 29, 2017 were comprised of finished goods of $35.0 million and raw materials of $18.4 million.

Note 2 - Property, Plant and Equipment

6 Months Ended

Oct. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]

. PROPERTY

, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property

, plant and equipment consist of the following:

	(In thousands)
	October 28, 2017			April 29, 2017
Land	$	9,500		$	9,500
Buildings and improvements		51,323			51,157
Machinery and equipment		181,073			172,257
Total		241,896			232,914
Less accumulated depreciation		(172,537	)		(167,764	)
Property , plant and equipment – net	$	69,359		$	65,150

Depreciation expense was $

3.1

million and

$6.1

million for the

three

and

six

months ended

October 28, 2017,

respectively, and

$2.7

million and

$5.4

million for the

three

and

six

months ended

October 29, 2016,

respectively.

Note 3 - Debt	6 Months Ended
Note 3 - Debt	Oct. 28, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	3 . DEBT At October 28, 2017, a subsidiary of the Company maintained unsecured revolving credit facilities with banks aggregating $100 million (the “Credit Facilities”). The Credit Facilities expire from June 18, 2018 to April 30, 2021 and any borrowings would currently bear interest at .9% above one -month LIBOR. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facilities at October 28, 2017 or April 29, 2017. At October 28, 2017, $2.2 million of the Credit Facilities was reserved for standby letters of credit and $97.8 million was available for borrowings. The Credit Facilities require the subsidiary to maintain certain financial ratios, including debt to net worth and debt to EBITDA (as defined in the Credit Facilities), and contain other restrictions, none of which are expected to have a material effect on our operations or financial position. At October 28, 2017, we were in compliance with all loan covenants.

Note 4 - Stock-based Compensation	6 Months Ended
Note 4 - Stock-based Compensation	Oct. 28, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	4 . STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION During the six months ended October 28, 2017, options to purchase 17,400 shares were exercised (weighted average exercise price of $16.18 per share) and options to purchase 900 shares were cancelled (weighted average exercise price of $17.59 per share). At October 28, 2017, options to purchase 365,795 shares (weighted average exercise price of $11.24 per share) were outstanding and stock-based awards to purchase 2,810,914 shares of common stock were available for grant.

Note 5 - Derivative Financial Instruments

6 Months Ended

Oct. 28, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

From time to time, we

enter into aluminum swap contracts to partially mitigate our exposure to changes in the cost of aluminum cans. Such financial instruments are designated and accounted for as a cash flow hedge. Accordingly, gains or losses attributable to the effective portion of the cash flow hedge are reported in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”) and reclassified into cost of sales in the period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of our cash flow hedge was immaterial. The following summarizes the gains (losses) recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income and AOCI relative to the cash flow hedge for the

three

and

six

months ended

October 28, 2017

and

October 29, 2016:

	(In thousands)
	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
	201 7		201 6			201 7		201 6
Recognized in AOCI:
Gain (loss) before income taxes	$	5,523	$	253		$	4,556	$	(197	)
Less income tax provision (benefit)		2,049		94			1,690		(73	)
Net	$	3,474	$	159		$	2,866	$	(124	)
Reclassified from AOCI to cost of sales:
Gain (loss) before income taxes	$	362	$	(1,083	)	$	393	$	(2,193	)
Less income tax provision (benefit)		135		(402	)		146		(814	)
Net	$	227	$	(681	)	$	247	$	(1,379	)
Net change to AOCI	$	3,247	$	840		$	2,619	$	1,255

As of

October 28, 2017,

the notional amount of our outstanding aluminum swap contracts was

$42.6

million and, assuming

change in the commodity prices,

$3.1

million of unrealized gain before tax will be reclassified from AOCI and recognized in earnings over the next

months. See Note

As of

October 28, 2017,

the fair value of the derivative asset and derivative long-term asset was

$3.1

million and

$308,000,

which was included in prepaid and other assets and other assets, respectively. At

April 29, 2017,

the fair value of the derivative asset, derivative liability and derivative long-term liability was

$602,000,

$848,000

and

$476,000,

which was included in prepaid and other assets, accrued liabilities and other liabilities, respectively. Such valuation does

not

entail a significant amount of judgment and the inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement are Level

as defined by the fair value hierarchy as they are observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Note 6 - Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	6 Months Ended
Note 6 - Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Oct. 28, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]	6 . RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016 - 09, “Compensation-Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016 - 09” ). The updated guidance simplifies and changes how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payment awards to employees, including accounting for income taxes and forfeitures, as well as classification of certain items in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted ASU 2016 - 09 effective April 30, 2017 and elected to apply the cash flow guidance retrospectively; therefore, cash flow from operating activities increased and cash flow from financing activities decreased by $76,000 for the six months ended October 29, 2016. The Company also elected to continue to estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest using the forfeiture option. The adoption of ASU 2016 - 09 reduced the Company’s income tax expense by $480,000 and $561,000 for the three and six months ended October 28, 2017, respectively. In November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015 - 17, “ Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes” (“ASU 2015 - 17” ). ASU 2015 - 17 requires companies to classify all deferred tax liabilities and assets as noncurrent on the balance sheet. We adopted ASU 2015 - 17 effective for our fiscal year beginning April 30, 2017, electing to apply it retrospectively to all periods presented. As a result, $3.9 million of deferred taxes was reclassified from current to non-current on the consolidated balance sheet as of April 29, 2017 . In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014 - 09, “ Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014 - 09” ). ASU 2014 - 09 requires an entity to recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for goods or services. On August 12, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015 - 14 which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014 - 09 by one year and is effective for our fiscal year beginning April 29, 2018. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements; however, adoption is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016 - 02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016 - 02” ). ASU 2016 - 02 requires the lease rights and obligations arising from lease contracts, including existing and new arrangements, to be recognized as assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. ASU 2016 - 02 is effective for our fiscal year beginning April 28, 2019. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2017 - 12, “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedge Activities” (“ASU 2017 - 12” ). This amendment simplifies the application of hedge accounting and enables companies to better portray the economics of risk management activities in their financial statements. ASU 2017 - 12 is effective for our fiscal year beginning April 28, 2019. We are currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Oct. 28, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of National Beverage Corp. and its subsidiaries. Significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission for interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all information and notes presented in the annual consolidated financial statements. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10 -K for the fiscal year ended April 29, 2017. Excluding the adoption of the recently issued accounting pronouncements disclosed in Note 6, the accounting policies used in these interim consolidated financial statements are consistent with those used in the annual consolidated financial statements. The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In our opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results which might be expected for the entire fiscal year.
Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Derivative Financial Instruments We use derivative financial instruments to partially mitigate our exposure to changes in raw material costs. All derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The estimated fair value of derivative financial instruments is calculated based on market rates to settle the instruments. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Credit risk related to derivative financial instruments is managed by requiring high credit standards for counterparties and frequent cash settlements. See Note 5.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Earnings P er Common Share Basic e arnings per common share is computed by dividing earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated in a similar manner, but includes the dilutive effect of stock options.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of first -in, first -out cost or market. Inventories at October 28, 2017 were comprised of finished goods of $38.4 million and raw materials of $21.3 million. Inventories at April 29, 2017 were comprised of finished goods of $35.0 million and raw materials of $18.4 million.

Note 2 - Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Oct. 28, 2017

Notes Tables

Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]

	(In thousands)
	October 28, 2017			April 29, 2017
Land	$	9,500		$	9,500
Buildings and improvements		51,323			51,157
Machinery and equipment		181,073			172,257
Total		241,896			232,914
Less accumulated depreciation		(172,537	)		(167,764	)
Property , plant and equipment – net	$	69,359		$	65,150

Note 5 - Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Oct. 28, 2017

Notes Tables

Schedule of Derivatives Instruments Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block]

	(In thousands)
	Three Months Ended					Six Months Ended
	201 7		201 6			201 7		201 6
Recognized in AOCI:
Gain (loss) before income taxes	$	5,523	$	253		$	4,556	$	(197	)
Less income tax provision (benefit)		2,049		94			1,690		(73	)
Net	$	3,474	$	159		$	2,866	$	(124	)
Reclassified from AOCI to cost of sales:
Gain (loss) before income taxes	$	362	$	(1,083	)	$	393	$	(2,193	)
Less income tax provision (benefit)		135		(402	)		146		(814	)
Net	$	227	$	(681	)	$	247	$	(1,379	)
Net change to AOCI	$	3,247	$	840		$	2,619	$	1,255

Note 2 - Property, Plant and Equipment - Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 28, 2017	Apr. 29, 2017
Land	$ 9,500	$ 9,500
Buildings and improvements	51,323	51,157
Machinery and equipment	181,073	172,257
Total	241,896	232,914
Less accumulated depreciation	(172,537)	(167,764)
Property, plant and equipment – net	$ 69,359	$ 65,150

Note 3 - Debt (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
Note 3 - Debt (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 28, 2017	Apr. 29, 2017
Long-term Line of Credit	$ 0	$ 0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	100,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	2,200
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	$ 97,800
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.90%

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References + Details

Note 4 - Stock-based Compensation (Details Textual)	6 Months Ended
Note 4 - Stock-based Compensation (Details Textual)	Oct. 28, 2017 $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period	17,400
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 16.18
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period	900
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 17.59
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number	365,795
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price \| $ / shares	$ 11.24
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant	2,810,914

Note 5 - Derivative Financial Instruments (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Oct. 28, 2017	Apr. 29, 2017
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 42,600,000
Price Risk Cash Flow Hedge Unrealized Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months	3,100,000
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivative Asset, Current	3,100,000	$ 602,000
Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Derivative Asset, Noncurrent	$ 308,000
Accrued Liabilities1 [Member]
Derivative Liability, Current		848,000
Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent		$ 476,000

Note 5 - Derivative Financial Instruments - Derivatives Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2017	Oct. 29, 2016	Oct. 28, 2017	Oct. 29, 2016
Recognized in AOCI:
Gain (loss) before income taxes	$ 5,523	$ 253	$ 4,556	$ (197)
Less income tax provision (benefit)	2,049	94	1,690	(73)
Net	3,474	159	2,866	(124)
Reclassified from AOCI to cost of sales:
Gain (loss) before income taxes	362	(1,083)	393	(2,193)
Less income tax provision (benefit)	135	(402)	146	(814)
Net	227	(681)	247	(1,379)
Net change to AOCI	$ 3,247	$ 840	$ 2,619	$ 1,255

Note 6 - Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2017	Oct. 29, 2016	Oct. 28, 2017	Oct. 29, 2016
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 16,932,000	$ 12,788,000	$ 36,701,000	$ 27,858,000
Reclassification of Excess Tax Benefits from Financing to Operating Activities [Member] \| Six Months Ended October 29, 2016 [Member]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment				$ 76,000
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 [Member]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	$ 480,000		561,000
Reclassification of Deferred Taxes from Current to Non-current [Member] \| April 29, 2017 [Member]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment			$ 3,900,000

Note 8 - Cash Dividend (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands				6 Months Ended
	Aug. 04, 2017	Jun. 05, 2017	May 05, 2017	Oct. 28, 2017	Oct. 29, 2016
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared			$ 1.50
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock	$ 69,900			$ 69,878
Dividends Payable, Date of Record		Jun. 05, 2017

Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies	Oct. 28, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	7 . COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES As of October 28, 2017, we guaranteed the residual value of certain leased equipment in the amount of $1.7 million. If the proceeds from the sale of such equipment are less than the balance required by the lease when the lease terminates on August 1, 2019, the Company shall be required to pay the difference up to such guaranteed amount. The Company does not expect to incur a loss on such guarantee.

Note 8 - Cash Dividend	6 Months Ended
Note 8 - Cash Dividend	Oct. 28, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	8 . CASH DIVIDEND On May 5, 2017, the Company declared a special cash dividend of $1.50 per share to shareholders of record on June 5, 2017 . The cash dividend of $69.9 million was paid on August 4, 2017.

Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Oct. 28, 2017	Apr. 29, 2017
Inventory, Finished Goods, Gross	$ 38.4	$ 35.0
Inventory, Raw Materials, Gross	$ 21.3	$ 18.4